Foie Gras Ice Cream, Fried Oysters: Chef Favorites in Portland

Ice cream mastermind and chef collaborator extraordinaire Tyler Malek tells all — from the best service in Portland to the perfect date-night spot.

The Chef: Anyone hoping for a taste of Portland needn’t look further than Salt & Straw, a small-batch, organic ice cream shop from cousins Kim and Tyler Malek. The farm-to-cone sweet spot dishes up homemade scoops in fun flavors inspired by chefs and purveyors around the city. Think foie s’mores ice cream with veal chocolate sauce and hazelnut graham crumble from Greg and Gabi Denton at Ox, or Stumptown coffee-infused scoops. More of a savory eater? Try sea salt with caramel ribbon, a flavor Malek collaborated on with Mark Bitterman, owner and selmelier at the Meadow and author of the James Beard award-winning cookbook Salted. Malek clearly knows what hits the spot. Just in its second year, Salt & Straw has already won a surplus of awards from Portland Monthly's "Phenom of the Year" to Oprah Magazine's "favorite ice cream."

The City: “Portland's food scene, which has a tight knit, small-town feel, is creative and fun to work in,” says Malek. “What's fascinating is the sheer amount of support the city shows for the food we are creating—if you put everything you've got behind a project and your food, Portlanders will notice and truly appreciate the love that goes behind it.”

The Picks:

Le Pigeon: “Every other bite here is the best I've ever had. Get the foie gras carpaccio with green almonds, tart cherries, and black licorice puree.”

Bollywood Theatre: “They have officially hit rock star status in Portland. It’s just fun. Their food is a really cool take on Indian Street food. I love the Kati Roll.”

Bar Avignon: “Everything is handled with love and care to create a menu that bursts with flavors from seasonal produce and delicious oysters. I usually go here to taste how [my favorites from] this year's harvest has turned out.”

Sunshine Tavern: “The best way to warm up with friends and enjoy a cold beer and ridiculously-satisfying food, like fried oysters, all winter. Delivered up, arguably, by the best service in town.”

Departure: “This menu goes hand-in-hand with the best sunset view in town to create the perfect date night. Get any of the vegetable sushi rolls.”

Best Kept Secret: “Brunch at Navarre. It feels like a dirty little secret when you pass the rush of people waiting for brunch next door, and then find yourself first in line for a cup of hot coffee, toasted bread with homemade jam, yummy food, and a pleasant staff.”

Signature Drink: “Sitting in Expatriate and listening to Kyle Webster guide you through his cocktails is the best. He's often creating and recreating new favorites for me.”

Where to Stay: “Hotel Lucia is the best in Portland. Plus they serve pints of Salt & Straw at room service.”